So, Druce thought with an ironic twitch of the mouth, watching Jason's departing form, you leave us to take care of her on our own. How kind...

Aloud he only said, "I want nothing, thank you." And (he could not help it) - "Lucius here might, though." He turned away to check his mare's harness once more, leaving the other man to fumble his way out of the predicament for a few minutes before mounting. Then he interrupted curtly, "We're off for patrol now. Good day."